Coronavirus News Highlights: UK detects three Omicron cases, mandates wearing of face masks from October 30

The Centre has introduced new guidelines for international arrivals, which now makes it compulsory for passengers from 'countries at-risk' to get tests on arrival and also undergo home quarantine. Meanwhile, the UK has mandated face masks from Tuesday just as the country detected three cases of the Omicron variant. Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel has asked the Centre to learn from its mistakes in the previous waves and impose a travel ban from countries that have more Omicron cases. Thank you for following our live updates.

Centre should learn from its mistakes in previous Covid-19 waves, impose travel curbs: Baghel

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Sunday said the central government should learn lessons from the "mistakes" it committed during the first and second waves ofCovid-19 and impose restrictions on travel from the countries that have been impacted by the new variant of the virus. (PTI)

Third Omicron case detected in UK, face masks compulsory from Tuesday

A third case of the Omicron coronavirus variant has been detected in the UK, the Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said on Sunday.

The latest case, like the two others, is linked to travel to southern Africa, where the variant was identified, but the individual is no longer in the UK. (PTI)

Centre issues fresh guidelines for international arrivals amid Omicron threat

The Centre on Sunday issued fresh guidelines on international arrivals amid fear of the Omicron Covid-19 variant.

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Covid test at arrival, home quarantine mandatory for international arrivals from 'at risk' countries: Health Ministry

Indians can leave Israel if flights are available; those who work, study, live in Israel can return: Ambassador

Maharashtra CM Uddhav urges people to maintain Covid-appropriate behaviour

Nepal to ban all passengers from South African countries over Omicron variant

Nepal to ban all passengers arriving from South African countries in wake of new variant of COVID19, #Omicron, says its Home Ministry (ANI)

Germany Omicron cases rises to 3

Germany said on Sunday it had detected a total of three cases of the new Omicron coronavirus variant after a suspected infection in the western state of Hesse was confirmed.

"The sequencing has confirmed the result - the suspected case which was made public yesterday morning is the Omicron variant," Kai Klose, Social Affairs Minister in the state of Hesse tweeted. (Reuters)

Suspected Omicron cases mild, says leading South Africa doctor

A South African doctor who raised the alarm over Omicron said Sunday dozens of her patients suspected of having the new variant had only shown mild symptoms and recovered fully without hospitalisation.

Angelique Coetzee, chair of the South African Medical Association, told AFP she had seen around 30 patients over the past 10 days who tested positive forCovid-19 but had unfamiliar symptoms.

Kerala logs 4,350 Covid-19 cases, 19 deaths

Netherlands: 13 among 61 passengers from South Africa positive for Omicron variant

Dutch health authorities said on Sunday they had found at least 13 cases of the new Omicron strain among 61 quarantined passengers who tested positive for coronavirus after arriving from South Africa.

"The Omicron variant has so far been identified in 13 of the positive tests. The investigation has not yet been completed. The new variant may be found in more test samples," the National Institute for Public Health (RIVM) said in a statement. (AFP)

Doctors' body OMAG calls for complete travel ban in wake of Omicron variant

With the Omicron variant emerging as a big cause of concern, the Organized Medicine Academic Guild (OMAG), the professional body of doctors, has called for a complete ban on international flights to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.

OMAGsaid that there has to be a sense of urgency to tackle the emerging situation. (DHNS)

Six Sri Lanka women cricketers test positive for Covid-19 in Zimbabwe

Six Sri Lanka women cricketers who took part in a World Cup qualifying tournament in Zimbabwe have tested positive for Covid-19, the Asian country's cricket board said on Sunday.

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Government to review SOP on testing and surveillance of international passengers, strengthen genome sequencing

Karnataka govt issues advisory after increase in Covid cases

Pakistan bans travel from South Africa, Hong Kong after spread of new Covid variant

Pakistan placed a complete ban on travel from seven countries in the wake of the discovery of a new variant of the coronavirus, Omicron, first detected in South Africa, according to a notification issued by the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), Dawn reported.

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I appeal to people to not unnecessary mingle, take all precautions: Deputy CM Manish Sisoida on new variant of Covid-19

China study warns of 'colossal' Covid outbreak if lifts lockdown like US, France

China could face more than 630,000 Covid-19 infections a day if it dropped its zero-tolerance policies by lifting travel curbs, according to a study by Peking University mathematicians.

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Health ministry asks states/UTs to enforce intensive surveillance measures

Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan writes to all States/UTs over the Omicorn variant of Covid, asks them to enforce intensive containment & active surveillance measures and also increase coverage of vaccination

Kejriwal writes to PM Modi to stop flights from countries affected by new Covid variant

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to stop flights coming to India from countries affected by a new variant ofcoronaviruswith immediate effect.

"Our country has fought a tough fight against corona for the last one and half years. With great difficulty and due to the selfless service of millions of our Covid warriors, our country has recovered fromcoronavirus," he wrote in the letter.

PM Modi briefed about Omicron; asks officials to review plans to ease international travel restrictions

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday asked officials to review plans for easing international travel restrictions in the wake of the emergence of the omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 that has been described as a "variant of concern" by the World Health Organization.

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Bengaluru starts screening of those travelling from European countries

We've started thorough airport screening & strong vigilance of those travelling from South Africa, Hong Kong, Botswana & other European countries, who have witnessed the new Covid variant: State Health Min, Dr Sudhakar K, on 'Omicron'

DCGI seeks additional data from Serum Institute on Covax vaccine

An expert panel of India's Central Drug Authority, which recently reviewed Serum Institute's application seeking emergency authorisation of Covid-19 vaccine Covovax, has sought additional data from firm while noting the jab has not yet been approved in the country of origin: Sources

Why travel bans aren’t answer to stop new Covid variant Omicron

There is a global concern and widespread alarm at the discovery of SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.529, which the World Health Organisation (WHO) has called Omicron.

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Uttarakhand govt tightens measures amid spread of Covid variant

Uttrakhand Health Secretary Dr Pankaj Kumar Pandey has instructed all the District Magistrates of the State to monitor the people coming from outside along with intensive testing to protect against the Covid-19 variant Omicorn(B.1.1.529).

Families of those died due to Covid will get Rs 50,000: Maharashtra Min Nawab Malik

More than 66.50 lakh citizens were affected due to Covid; Maharashtra was the worst hit, even then we did better than other states, w/o any non-availability complaints of beds or oxygen. Families of those who died due to Covid-19 will get Rs 50,000: Maharashtra Min Nawab Malik

Spurt of Covid cases in schools, colleges triggers concerns in Karnataka

A spurt of Covid-19 cases among those aged 25 years and under has the government scrambling to understand whether the discovery of three clusters at educational institutions in the last one week are isolated incidents or the beginning of a new trend.

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Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray to hold Covid-19 review meeting today with all Divisional Commissioners and Collectors

India reports 8,774 new cases, 621 deaths and 9,481 recoveries in the last 24 hours

India reports 8,774 new cases, 621 deaths and 9,481 recoveries in the last 24 hours; Active caseload stands at 1,05,691; lowest in 543 days: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Two South Africans test positive for Covid-19 as threat of new variant looms

Amid fears of the spread of new Covid strain 'Omicron' looming large, two South African nationals have tested positive for the coronavirus, and their samples have been sent for further tests to ascertain about the variant, a top official said on Saturday.

Delhi records 27 fresh Covid-19 cases, one death; positivity rate stands at 0.05 per cent: Authorities

25 students in Odisha school test Covid positive

Colombia extends health emergency until end of February 2022

Colombian President Ivan Duque has announced that the national Covid-19 health emergency will be extended until February 28, 2022.

Duque said the measure was adopted "by virtue of the existence of a global pandemic that also allows the country to continue taking all precautionary measures and care for the protection of Colombian lives."

Italy, Germany report cases of omicron Covid-19 variant (AP)

Dutch find 61 Covid positive on 'dystopia' flights from South Africa, possible Omicron cases

Dutch health authorities said Saturday the new Omicron strain of Covid-19 was "probably" among some of the 61 passengers who tested positive after arriving on two flights from South Africa.

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How Omicron, the new Covid-19 variant, got its name

Markets plunged Friday, hope of taming the coronavirus dimmed and a new term entered the pandemic lexicon: omicron.

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